10 Things You Didn’t Know About Allergies

Allergies have become quite common these days, but the reason behind that is not yet known. They’re more present in our lives than we would like them to be, but there is nothing we can do. We can treat the symptoms, but we cannot yet cure an allergy. Sure, some will outgrow them, but the reason behind that is also unknown. They’re pretty mysterious, aren’t they? In a previous post we’ve discussed 10 things we hate about spring and today it’s time we took a look at 10 things you didn’t know about allergies so that you will know more about the things that affect you so much.

10. Allergies and Obesity are Related

There is some research out there that says food allergies and obesity are related. In other words, there is some proof that food allergies can contribute to obesity. A 2007 study found that a high-fat, high-sugar, low-fiber diet caused increased insulin resistance, which in turn, causes the body to store more fat. More studies need to be conducted before a definite verdict is given.

9. More and More People are Becoming Allergic

People of the world are becoming more and more allergic to things and the reason behind that is not yet known. The allergy rates are increasing, according to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology. More than one in five Americans suffer from one type of allergy. Scientists are still searching for the reason why this is happening, but most likely it’s going to be a while before we have allergies figured out.

8. Contact Dermatitis Is Often Caused by Nickel Allergy

If your skin becomes irritated and itchy ask yourself if it has been in contact with rings, earrings, bracelets, eyeglasses or metal buttons. If it has, then maybe you’re suffering from nickel allergy, one of the most common allergies in the U.S. If this is the case, then you’re going to struggle to remove all the nickel around you, because it’s just so common!

7. Allergies Can Cause Bruises

Did you know that allergies can give you a bruise? The blood cant’ flow freely when your skin is swollen and this can lead to the formation of bruises, which are actually trapped venous blood. In most cases the bruise will happen around the eyes, so be careful what you’re telling the people around you, you wouldn’t want them to get the wrong impression.

6. Black Boys are More Prone to Allergies than the Rest of the Population

A 2009 study showed that young black males are more likely than the rest of the population. The study was carried out on 8,200 people and it found that the highest amount of food allergies were found in black make children. The reason behind this is still unknown, as are many other things related to allergies.

5. Any Organ Can Be Affected by Allergies

Hay fever will give you a runny nose, irritated eyes and an itchy throat, but other things that you might be allergic to will give you different symptoms, such as hives, cramps and asthma. A bee sting can send the body into anaphylactic shock where your heart and lungs could stop functioning.

4. There is No Such Thing as an Allergy-Addiction Syndrome

One of the weirdest things you didn’t know about allergies is that there is a belief out there that says people who are allergic to certain things will crave those exact things, because they have an allergy-addiction syndrome. The medical world says that this is sheer and utter nonsense. It’s simply in our heads, people always want things that they can’t have!

3. 90% of All Allergies are Caused by 8 Foods

Yes, the 8 food that are the main allergy offenders are: wheat, tree nuts, shellfish, milk, eggs, peanuts, soy and fish. If you got any of these allergies when you were a kid, especially dairy, then you will most likely outgrow them, because your GI tract will get better at breaking down the proteins in the foods that are causing the allergic reaction. But unfortunately, that’s not always the case.

2. We Still Don’t Know What Causes the Peanut Allergy Rise

More and more people are developing food allergies and we don’t know why that is. Apparently, the rate of peanut allergies has doubled in the U.S. over the last 10 years. Some of the theories are saying that we are exposed to fewer bacteria, because we’re living in a cleaner environment and our bodies are just becoming fussier.

1. Pet Hair Is Not the Issue

Did you know that it’s not the hair that is making you sick? It’s actually the pet dander (which is the dead skin), the urine trapped in the hair and the saliva. All of this gets dispersed in small quantities in the air once they dry on the fur and then we inhale them. Sounds pretty nasty, we know, but it’s science!

Did you enjoy these things you didn’t know about allergies? Would you like to share any more interesting facts about allergies with us? Drop us a line in the comment section below, we would love to hear what you think about this.